Moving method

ABSTRACT

A heavy-duty moving system including a sled, two sets of removable heavy-duty caster wheels (FIG. 1) and a lever arm assembly (FIG. 1A) for moving heavy equipment, for example, the &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;XEROX&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; copy machines of the 2400 series. The sled is slid under the machine (FIG. 3) and then raised at one end by the lever assembly (FIG. 4), one set of caster wheels then being laterally inserted and locked into the sled (FIG. 5). The opposite end of the sled is raised and the second set of caster wheels inserted and locked into the sled (FIG. 6). Upon lowering, the equipment is then ready for transportation (FIG. 7).

Unite States Patent [54] MOVING METHOD 17 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 214/152,

214/38 CC, 254/1 3 l 280/46, 280/47.l3, 280/79.] [51] Int. Cl 565g 67/02[50] Field of Search 214/38,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,932,527 4/1960 Payne2l4/38CX Primary ExaminerRobert G. Sheridan Attorney-C. Emmett PughABSTRACT: A heavy-duty moving system including a sled, two sets ofremovable heavy-duty caster wheels (FIG. 1) and a lever arm assembly(FIG. 1A) for moving heavy equipment, for example, the XEROX" copymachines of the 2400 series. The sled is slid under the machine (FIG. 3)and then raised at one end by the lever assembly (FIG. 4), one set ofcaster wheels then being laterally inserted and locked into the sled(FIG. 5). The opposite end of the sled is raised and the second set ofcaster wheels inserted and locked into the sled (FIG. 6). Upon lowering,the equipment is then ready for transportation (FIG. 7).

PATENTED JAN] 1 I972 6 .774

SHEET 1 [1F 5 INVENTOR.

WILLIAM 5. LEE

AT TORNEY PATENTED mu 1 i972 SHEET 2 BF 5 RY E E O VL T T W MA W6 Y BPATENTEDJANI I 872 3.633774 sums UF 5 P a P INVENTOR.

WILLIAM 5. LEE

ATTORNEY PATENTEDJMH 1 m2 v 1633774 SHEET a 0F 5 INVENTOR.

WILLIAM 3 LEE ATTORNEY PATENTED .mn I I972 SHEET 5 UP 5 INVENTOR.WILLIAM 5. LEE BY 6' (fizmaa a ATTORNEY MOVING METHOD BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION The present invention relates to a multielement moving systemfor transporting heavy equipment. Heretofore various systems have beendevise for moving heavy equipment but all have been relatively complex,awkward, expensive, undependable, time consuming and difficult to use.It is a basic object of the present invention to overcome and solvethese prior art problems.

As an example of the prior art, the present system for moving the XEROXcopy machine of the 2400 series from one place to another consists of abolt-on jury-rig" comprising a set of several angle iron brackets withremovable wheels and required the removal of the machines skirts andconvenience casters and the use of a jack. Using this prior art systemit would often take two men almost an hour to prepare the machine formoving and about the same time to disengage the moving gear and replacethe machine parts. By contrast the system of the present inventionreduces the time of preparation and disengagement to approximately aminute or two, can be performed by only one person and does not requirethe removal of the skirts or convenience casters or the bolting orunbolting of any gear with the machine.

Additional advantages over the prior art include greater protection tothe delicate undersides of the machine, a wider and safer moving casterstance, a superior lengthwise placement of moving casters whichfacilitates the moving of the machine over uneven surfaces, and permitsthe handling of the machine with a fork lift. The present system alsofacilitates the crating or uncrating of the machine with or without theassistance ofa lift machine.

Although many others have attempted to solve the problems of the priorart, none have disclosed a system as efficacious as the presentinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top, perspective view ofthe sled and dual sets of casters with an indication of how and wherethe caster sets are inserted into the sled;

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the lever arm assembly that along withthe elements of FIG. 1 make up the multielement system of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom, perspective view of the sled with one caster setcompletely inserted and the other only partially inserted;

FIG. 2A is a side, plan view of the lower portion of the lever armassembly showing its mating with the end of the sled, the latter beingpartially cut away and partially in section;

FIGS. 3-7 are side, plan views showing the steps in mounting the machineutilizing the system of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a side, plan view of the multielements of the present systembeing nested together for ease in transportation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT For purposes ofillustration only, the moving system of the present invention isdescribed as applied to the moving of a XEROX copy machine of the 2400series but it is of course equally applicable to the moving of any heavyequipment generally. I

As best shown in FIGS. 1, 1A and 2 the multielement system of thepreferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a sled 1, a dualset of caster wheels 2a and 2b, which are insertable into the sled 1,and a lever arm assembly 3 for raising the sled 1 at either end.

The sled 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, comprises a basically flatbedsection 10 having vertical side plates 11 carrying loadbearing flangemembers 12. The load-bearing flange members 12 are gently flared at theleading edge 13 to guide and properly align the sled as it is slid undera machine and end up with projecting dogears or stops 14 to prevent thesled from sliding too far under a machine. To add greater transversestrength to the sled at the area where the caster sets are inserted,transverse plates 15 are added. Appropriate sled wheels 17 (four innumber) are provided for ease in sliding the sled I under a machine.

The dual or twin sets 2a and 2b of casters each include two caster wheelunits 20 suspended from a flat plate 21 having lateral flanges 22 andvertical sides 23. Holes 24 are provided in the center of the verticalsides 23 for locking the caster sets into the sled 1. As shown in FIG.2, standard adjusting elements 25 are included with the casters whichlock the casters 20 in a particular alignment or allow them to freelyswivel, as desired.

As indicated by the broken arrows in FIG. 1 and shown in FIG. 2, thecaster sets 20 and 2b are inserted into the channels 18 and 18 of thesled 1 formed by L"-shaped brackets 19. The brackets mate with theflanges 22 and guide and hold the caster sets 2a and 2b as they areinserted or removed. The channel 18 is placed closer to the longitudinalcenter of the sled 1 than the channel 18. The caster sets 2a and 2b arelocked in place by means of spring loaded locking bolts 100 which matewith the holes 24 when the caster sets 2a and 2b are centrally located.A chain 101 is provided between the two bolt elements 102 which whenpulled removes the bolt elements 102 out of the holes 24 and unlocks thecaster sets 2a and 2b.

The lever arm assembly 3, as shown in FIG. 1A, consists of two tubularparallel, extended L-members 30 joined together by means of crossbars 31and handlebar 32. The lower leg sections 30' extend out at an angle ofor less from the main sections of the L-members 30. Wheels 35 areprovided at the junction of the sections of the L-members 30 for ease inusing and transporting the elements of the system. Wheel mounts for thewheels 35 are flared out to provide stair gliders 36 which provide asmoother action or ride when the lever arm assembly 3 is rolled up andpulled up stairs and the like. A tip or boot 33 is provided on the end34 of the lower leg section 30' of the If-members 30 to assist in itsmating with the cylindrical beveled sockets 104. The tip 33 extends outand away from the plane of the end 34 so that it bears the weight of thesled and machine 40 when it is in the position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

As best shown in FIG. 2A, when the lever arm 3 is used to raise or lowerthe sled 1, the lower sections 30' are inserted under the sled body and,because of the bevel of the sockets 104, clear the front part of eachsocket but the ends 34 thereof contact the rear part. The socketconfiguration thus serves to guide the lower sections 30 into thesockets 104.

The moving system of the present invention is used to move the XEROX"2400 machine 40 in the following manner (note FIGS. 3-7).

As shown in FIG. 3, the sled 1 is slid under the machine 40 from thelighter side (left side in illustrations) of the machine 40, the smallwheels 17 making it an easy matter to slide the sled 1. The machine 40is provided at manufacture with convenience, light-duty casters 41 whichcan be used to move the machine a small amount but are insufficient instrength to be used for general transportation. The sled 1 is designedso that the flange 12 is high enough to clear the top of the horn 42 ofeach convenience caster 41 but low enough to clear the lower edge 43 ofthe machine skirt 44 (note FIG. 4). The width of the flange 12 islikewise designed to be just short of the distance between the stems orvertical shafts of the convenience casters 41. Thus, when the sled 1 isfully slid under the machine 40, the sled 1 is effectively locked to themachine 40 by means of its outer flange 12 lapping over part of all fourconvenience caster horns 42. The dog ears or stops 14 prevent the sled 1from sliding under too far by hitting the locknuts of the stems of thetwo left-side convenience casters.

After the sled 1 is fully slid under the machine, the lever arm assembly3 is inserted under the heavier side (right side in illustration) of thesled 1 and, by the action illustrated in FIG.

2A, mates with the sockets 104. As shown in FIG. 4, the lever armassembly is then lowered to a horizontal position 3, thereby raising theheavier end of the machine 40. The stops 14 prevent the machine 40 fromslipping off the sled 1.

Because of the 90 or less angular relationship between the projectingleg 30' and the main body of the lever arm assembly 3 and the projectingand angularity of tip 33, the machine 40 will remain in its raisedposition (note FIG. 5). The caster set 2a is then slid into its chamber18. The springloaded bolt 100 automatically locks the caster set 2a inits place when it reaches its center location. The lever arm assembly 3is then raised and removed and the machine 40 thereby lowered. The leverarm assembly 3 is then brought to the opposite end of the sled l andinserted in the sockets 104 in the same manner as described with respectto FIG. 5. By the same action, the machine 40 is again raised, as shownin FIG. 6, and caster set 26 inserted and locked in place. Upon loweringthe sled 1, the machine 40 then rides on the caster sets 2a and 2b andis ready for transportation, as shown in FIG. 7. For ease intransportation the lever arm assembly 3 can be placed on top of themachine 40 (note FIG. 7).

To facilitate movement of the machine 40 riding on the caster sets 2aand 2b, the machine 40 is best pushed from it heavier side as indicatedin FIG. 7. Because of the weight distribution of the machine 40 and theplacement of caster set 2a further toward the longitudinal center of thesled 1 and the machine 40, the light end of the machine 40 can berelatively easily kicked up by pressing down on the heavy end to therebyclear any obstruction. For particularly difficult obstructions, thelever arm assembly 3 can be taken from its convenient position on top ofthe machine 40, placed in the sockets 104 at the end near theobstruction and the machine 40 raised up and over the obstruction. Theplacement of the wheels 35 on the lever arm assembly 3 assists in movingthe machine 40 over the obstruction. Additionally the wider stance(greater width between the caster wheels than between the conveniencecasters 41) of the caster sets 2a and 2b provides for greater ease andsafety in transporting the machine 40.

It is also noted that the sled 1 exerts no pressure on the delicateunderside of the machine 40, indeed does not even touch the delicateportions, the only contact of the sled 1 being the flange 12 bearing onthe 4 feet onto which the convenience casters 41 bolt.

In bringing the elements 1-3 of the system to or from ajob site, thesled I can be placed upside down on the lever arm assembly 3 and thecaster set 2 placed on the sled 1 in nested fashion as shown in FIG. 8.The nested elements l-3 can then be easily moved about by means of thewheel 35 on the assembly 3.

To insure that the nested elements remain in place on the assembly 3,tab projections 37 are provided on legs to hold the sled 1 in place.Likewise, the main legs of the assembly 3 have two inwardly projectingprongs 39 for hooking a rubber band 34' or the like to the assembly 3about the sled 1 to hold the top of the sled 1 under tension against theassembly 3. Additionally four rounded studs 38 are provided on theassembly 3 to mate with holes 26 on the wheel assemblies 2 to hold thelatter in place.

A fork lift truck can likewise be used with the moving system of thepresent invention. To insure that the fork times do not damage thespring bolt lock 100 near caster set 26, V- shaped members 105 arefastened to the bottom of the sled 1. Only one set of the members 105 isneeded because the other tine of the fork will contact the sled bottombetween channel 13 and the wheels 17.

Nearly unlimited variations, alterations and changes in the design anddetail of the preferred embodiment are possible within the scope of theinvention. For example, rather than the closed-end, beveled sockets 104,slots in the bed 10 ofthe sled 1 could be used. In some applications itmay be possible to use only one set of removable caster wheels, as forexample when a piece of equipment is particularly high at one end andthe sled would have one set of caster wheels 2 permanently built intothe sled 1. Additionally, the wheels 35 could be deleted from theassembly 3 and the lever arm assembly 3 simply rotated about and on itscurved heel. Moreover, rather than having the leg 30 have an angle of orless, a spring loaded rod could be built into the assembly 3 andextended on down through and out the assembly 3 to maintain it in itshorizontal position as long as desirable. Additional means for lockingthe machine 40 on the sled l to prevent any sliding could be provided,for example, holes in the sled body for mating with protrusions on theunderside of the machine such as bolt heads and so forth. Also to insurethe proper distribution of the weight of a machine and the system on afork lift truck and prevent any lateral movement, appropriate bracketsor slots in the side members 11 can be provided to positively mate withthe fork tines. To provide a universal" system for use with varioussizes and configurations of machines or other equipment, the sled l andthe caster sets 2 could be made adjustable in length and width.

Having described the preferred embodiment of the invention andindicating a few of the many possible variations, what is claimed to beinvention is:

l. A method of providing a heavy load having a substantial portion ofits bottom area offset from the surface on which it rests with means foreasy locomotion comprising the following steps:

a. providing an extended base member and at least one wheeled carriagemember structurally separate and apart from said base member;

b. moving only said extended base member under the heavy load at theoffset portion;

c. jacking up one part of said base member until the heavy load rests atleast in part on said base member; and

d. inserting said carriage member under said base member and placingsaid carriage member and said base member in juxtaposition so that saidbase member will rest on said carriage member when said part of saidbase member is unjacked.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein there is further included after step d"the steps of:

e. jacking up a second part of said base member until the heavy loadrests at least in part on said second part of said base member;

f. inserting at least a second carriage member under said base memberand placing said second carriage member and said second part of saidbase member in juxtaposition so that said base member will rest on saidsecond carriage member when said second part ofsaid base member isunjacked; and

g. unjacking said parts of said base member after the carriage membershave been inserted; whereby the heavy load through said base member nowrides on said carriage members.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein in steps a' and j there is furtherincluded the step of locking said carriage means to said base member.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein in step b" the base member is movedunder the heavy equipment by means of a sliding action.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein in steps 0" and e said parts of saidbase member are jacked up by means of a lever arm of the first order.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said base member includes a channel forreceiving said carriage member, said carriage member being insertedunder said base member by sliding said carriage member into saidchannel.

7. The method of claim 2 wherein in steps d and f the carriage member isinserted in a direction lateral to the jacking, that is, in a directionperpendicular to the plane of the jacking direction.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said base member is elongated andincludes two lateral channels on its underside for receiving saidcarriage members, said carriage members being inserted under said basemember by sliding said carriage members into said channels.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said carriage means are locked intosaid channels.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said locking is done automatically byspring-loaded bolts attached to said sled means fitting into holes insaid carriage means.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein in step d" the carriage member isinserted in a direction lateral to the jacking, that is, in a directionperpendicular to the plane of the jacking direction.

12. The method of putting heavy-duty moving equipment on a piece ofheavy equipment having generally rectangularly shaped bases comprisingthe steps of:

a. sliding sled means under the piece of heavy equipment so that itextends from end to end of the piece of heavy equipment;

b. inserting a first-order lever under a first end of said sled meansand raising up said sled means so that at least a part of the heavyequipment now rests on said sled means;

c. placing laterally a set of rolling elements under said sled means atthe end which is raised;

d. inserting a first-order lever under the other end of said sled meansso that the heavy equipment fully rests on said sled means;

e. placing laterally a second set of rolling elements under said sledmeans at the second raised end; and

f. lowering said sled means so that the heavy equipment and sled meansare now fully carried by said sets of rolling elements.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein between steps 0" and d" said firstend is lowered so that at least part of the heavy equipment and the endof said sled means is partially carried by said first set of rollingelements, and said first-order lever arm is removed and is used to raiseup the other end of said sled means.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said sled means is provided with itsown wheels and said sled means is slid under the heavy equipment byrolling it under.

15. The method of claim 14 where said sled means is provided with twolateral channel guides, said set of rolling elements being laterallyplaced under said sled means by inserting the rolling elements into saidchannel guides.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said sets of rolling elements arelocked into said channel guides when they are centrally located.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said locking is done automatically bya spring-loaded bolt mating with a hole in each said set of rollingelements.

1. A method of providing a heavy load having a substantial portion ofits bottom area offset from the surface on which it rests with means foreasy locomotion comprising the following steps: a. providing an extendedbase member and at least one wheeled carriage member structurallyseparate and apart from said base member; b. moving only said extendedbase member under the heavy load at the offset portion; c. jacking upone part of said base member until the heavy load rests at least in parton said base member; and d. inserting said carriage member under saidbase member and placing said carriage member and said base member injuxtaposition so that said base member will rest on said carriage memberwhen said part of said base member is unjacked.
 2. The method of claim 1wherein there is further included after step ''''d'''' the steps of: e.jacking up a second part of said base member until the heavy load restsat least in part on said second part of said base member; f. insertingat least a second carriage member under said base member and placinGsaid second carriage member and said second part of said base member injuxtaposition so that said base member will rest on said second carriagemember when said second part of said base member is unjacked; and g.unjacking said parts of said base member after the carriage members havebeen inserted; whereby the heavy load through said base member now rideson said carriage members.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein in steps''''d'''' and ''''f'''' there is further included the step of lockingsaid carriage means to said base member.
 4. The method of claim 2wherein in step ''''b'''' the base member is moved under the heavyequipment by means of a sliding action.
 5. The method of claim 2 whereinin steps ''''c'''' and ''''e'''' said parts of said base member arejacked up by means of a lever arm of the first order.
 6. The method ofclaim 1 wherein said base member includes a channel for receiving saidcarriage member, said carriage member being inserted under said basemember by sliding said carriage member into said channel.
 7. The methodof claim 2 wherein in steps ''''d'''' and ''''f'''' the carriage memberis inserted in a direction lateral to the jacking, that is, in adirection perpendicular to the plane of the jacking direction.
 8. Themethod of claim 7 wherein said base member is elongated and includes twolateral channels on its underside for receiving said carriage members,said carriage members being inserted under said base member by slidingsaid carriage members into said channels.
 9. The method of claim 8wherein said carriage means are locked into said channels.
 10. Themethod of claim 9 wherein said locking is done automatically byspring-loaded bolts attached to said sled means fitting into holes insaid carriage means.
 11. The method of claim 1 wherein in step ''''d''''the carriage member is inserted in a direction lateral to the jacking,that is, in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the jackingdirection.
 12. The method of putting heavy-duty moving equipment on apiece of heavy equipment having generally rectangularly shaped basescomprising the steps of: a. sliding sled means under the piece of heavyequipment so that it extends from end to end of the piece of heavyequipment; b. inserting a first-order lever under a first end of saidsled means and raising up said sled means so that at least a part of theheavy equipment now rests on said sled means; c. placing laterally a setof rolling elements under said sled means at the end which is raised; d.inserting a first-order lever under the other end of said sled means sothat the heavy equipment fully rests on said sled means; e. placinglaterally a second set of rolling elements under said sled means at thesecond raised end; and f. lowering said sled means so that the heavyequipment and sled means are now fully carried by said sets of rollingelements.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein between steps ''''c'''' and''''d'''' said first end is lowered so that at least part of the heavyequipment and the end of said sled means is partially carried by saidfirst set of rolling elements, and said first-order lever arm is removedand is used to raise up the other end of said sled means.
 14. The methodof claim 13 wherein said sled means is provided with its own wheels andsaid sled means is slid under the heavy equipment by rolling it under.15. The method of claim 14 where said sled means is provided with twolateral channel guides, said set of rolling elements being laterallyplaced under said sled means by inserting the rolling elements into saidchannel guides.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein said sets of rollingelements are locked into said channel guides when they are centrallylocated.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein said locking is doneautomatically by a spring-loaded bolt mating with a hole in each saidset of rolling elements.